The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-18

New England States. There was a time,
however, in my life when money held a
great charm for me- But that time has
passed away. | would rather be Virgil
Falnes wife, with just enough money to
Keep me in comfort, than to be any other
mans wife, even though he had the wealth
OF the Roth5childs at his command That
Fellow has lot of impudence TO think of
coming here, hasn't he! | hope if he dares
to do such thing the train viii run off the
track, or something else will happen to pre-
vent his coming
Then, seized with repentance for such ut
terances, she exclaimed to herself a mo-
ment afterwards:
"Oh, what wicked wretch l am! Am l
not to blame for it ala Did / not lead this
poor fellow to believe that loved him2 Did
not do everything to make him fall in love
with me. Did not even promise to be his
wife, although | had no idea of ever doing
so. All, how Virgil would be shocked If he
knew how had hirted with this man and
With scores of others! do believe his love
Tor me would turn to hatredl No longer
than yesterday he expressed his detestation
OF coquettes, and declared that no honora-
bic man or woman would stoop to so con-
temptible practice as flirting All, if he
knew what heartless coquette have been 4!
Good Lord! Suppose he should meet Mar
rldlculously have carried ON with him I!
That dream, oh, heavenw and frightened
look came into the girls eyes
Directly after leaving England Florine
became acquainted with the writer of the
above letter. He was the only single man
among the passengers, and, to render the
voyage less monotonous, she at once began
Irritation with him. He soon fella victim
to her charms, and, before the steamer was
half way across the Atlantic, confessed his
love, and daily thereafter pressed his suit
until at last Florine, in fun, as couqettes
Otter do, promised to become his wife, al
though she had not the least intention of
ever keeping her promise. On arriving in
New York. he was met by his cousin, An
thony Crane, who informed him of the Seri
Gus illness of their grandfather. Though 1t
was like tearing his heart from his breast to
thus part from the woman he so passion
ately loved, and who he belieyed loved him
in return. Marvin felt it his duty to de-
part at once for home, and so, in company
with his cousin, left Immediately for Spring
field, Mass.
The parting did not cause Florine the
least pain. On the contrary, she was glad
to get rid of him, for before they had
reached the end of the voyage she had
grown weary of his society, and longed to
make new couqueSts.
THANK heaven! he is gone-the insult
ferable borer' she muttered, few minutes
after his departure. He is the softest crab
| ever saw! What a fool made of him!
In a month or two he will be the plaything
of some other coquette, and be fawning at
her feet! do hate such men, although it
does me good to take advantage of their
weakness "
With these words Florine dismissed Mar
hor. fbn1crhfc y-iO
whether she ever saw or heard of him
again. No wonder that the above letter,
announcing his purpose of coming to Rich
mond, should have alarmed the young lady,
who, since her betrothal to him, had prom
ised her hand in marriage to another man.
What if the two men should meet!
"If Virgil should discover how false l
have been to this man." she moaned, wiring
ing her hands, wouldn't he think that |
was false to him also9 0, if the two should
meet! If the two should meetl Good Lord,
have mercy upon mem
The bell startled her again. She did not
rise this time, but sat trembling like cul-
prit on whom the dread sentence or the
court is soon to be pronounc ID.
The visitor was Virgil. Through the
open door she heard him say to the foot
man:
'1Good morning, Tom. If Miss Florine is
in, will you please to give her my card and
say to her that | desire her presence in the
parlor at once. I'll detain her only few
minutes"
''What on earth does he wantm said the
girl to herself 81 have never vet had a
visit from him at this hour of the day. Oh,
nv Lord, suppose that simpleton Marvin,
learning of our engagement, has written to
Virgil l wish l were dead! | am so I'M
happyn
At this moment Tom, poking his head
into the library, handed her Virgil's card
and, delivering the latter'S message, bowed
and Withdrew.
She arose, threw the bits of paper out of
the window, and, with a wildly-beating
heart, made her way to the parlor As she
entered the room Virgil advanced toward
her, warmly pressed her hand, and, after
the usual salulation, said:
Chlorine, have been called to Powhatan
court house on some very important. bust
ness and must leave for that place on the
l O'Clock packet As l shall be unable to
return before you leave for the springs |
have called to bid you good-by."
(Which was very kind of you" replied
the young lady, treasured by his manner
that nothing had occurred so far to de-
throne herself in his affections.
81 hope you will have good time at the
w nlue 7oulpnIT, COuOluuou Oue young law
yer, land that you will meet with no man
whose good looks and fascinating manners
will cause you to repent of our engage
ment."
''There isn't living a man handsome or
fascinating enough to rival you in my af-
fections, Virgil" said Florine, with a ten
der smile.
''Mv darling!" and he reverently raised
her hand to his lips and kissed it,
A moments silence ensued. Then Virgil
said:
81 must go now, Florine.0
"Why, Virgil, you haven't been here
three minutes"
''Well, came only to bid you good-by. "
he replied. 81 cannot visit you before the
16th--two weeks from to-morrow-and I'M
til then | shall expect a letter at least twice
a week, and long letters at that-not less
than two whole sheets of foolscap Tell
Mrs. Woodbury. good-by for me, for haven't
a minute more to lose. Good-by, my dear. "
Lovingly he drew her to his bosom; fond
Iy he gazed on the dark, beautiful face
upturned to his. Once, twice he pressed his
lips to hers. Then pausing for half min
ute. as if 10th to leave her, he was about to
kiss her again, when the door was flung VIC
lently open, and short. stout, light-com-
plexioned man rushed into the room and
halted abruptly before the lovers.
The intruder was Marvin.
Florine uttered a low, frightened scream
and buried her face on Virgil's breast.
BE calm, Florine," said the young law
yer, in his gentlest tones. Then, turning to
Marvin, he said angrily: What do you
mean, sir, by this intrusions Look how YOU